U.S. Marine Corps in historic leadership limbo due to Republican block
WASHINGTON The Marine Corps is now without a Senate-confirmed leader for the first time in over a century
1970-01-01 08:00
Woman shares male coworker’s ‘infuriating’ response to her decision to not have children
A woman has shared her male colleague’s “infuriating” response when she informed him of her decision to be childfree. Earlier this week, TikTok user @honeyandmud went viral when she recounted the conversation she had with her male coworker, who seemingly couldn’t wrap his head around her choice to not have children. “I was chatting with a guy at work today and he asked me if I have any kids, to which I responded with: ‘Oh no, I’m not gonna have children,’” she began the TikTok, which has since been viewed more than 230,000 times. Her coworker laughed off her response and replied: “You say that now, but never say never,” according to the TikToker. When she further stressed that she knew “for a fact” that she was never going to have children, she said her colleague seemed surprised by her comment, and asked why she didn’t want kids. “I’ve known since I was a child that I don’t want to have kids,” she explained. “I’m 35 years old now and that hasn’t changed and I really don’t see that changing in the future, so yeah, I can confidently say I don’t want kids and I’m never going to have them.” However, her justification didn’t seem to please the male colleague. “Even after that, he still replies with: ‘Well, you never know,’” she said. In the viral video, the woman went on to explain why her frustrating interaction with her coworker was a “common theme” among people who choose to be childfree, or not to have children. @honeyandmud i am so happy you love being a parent, but i promise you that i would not. trust that i can understand that about myself. #childfree #childfreebychoice #childfreemillennial #letusbe #storytime ♬ original sound - honeyandmud “Anytime somebody is choosing to be childfree, there are always people – usually parents – who are like: ‘You’ll regret that one day,’ like they know the person better than the person knows themselves,” she shared. “Do you not think we know ourselves? Do you not think we understand this decision and have thought about this decision and have our reasons why we don’t want to be a parent or bring a child into this world?” “Trust that I know myself, alright?” she added, along with the caption: “I am so happy you love being a parent, but I promise you that I would not. Trust that I can understand that about myself.” The TikToker’s interaction with her male colleague struck a chord for many childfree people in the comments, who took the opportunity to share just some of the many judgemental comments they’ve received because of their decision to not have children. “I chose to be childfree and at 44, STILL get the ‘You never know,’” one person revealed. “I’ll be 40 in a few months and people still want to tell me never say never,” said someone else. “They are still trying to convince me even after I voluntarily paid money to be permanently steralised,” a third user wrote, while another person said: “It’s the most infuriating conversation to have because they act like they know you better than you know you.” “Voluntary childlessness” – also called being childfree – has grown in popularity among US adults in recent years. In November 2021, a survey from the Pew Research Center found that 44 per cent of adults said it is “not too or not at all likely” that they will have children someday, a seven per cent increase from 2018. While there was no single reason why a number of Americans have lost interest in becoming a parent, some survey respondents cited financial burdens or the unsettling “state of the world” as reasons to remain child-free. Earlier this year, childfree TikToker Jackie Dives was praised by viewers for showing “what a life without children can look like”. “I knew in my heart and in my gut that I didn’t want to be a parent,” Dives said in her viral video last March. She added that it was difficult for her to imagine what her life could be without children because there weren’t examples of child-free women “in media or pop culture”. “I had no idea what my life would look like if I didn’t go down the path that everyone expected me to go down,” Dives explained. “It felt really lonely and strange, and I had to go seek out other women who had also made that choice.” Meanwhile, another TikToker sparked a conversation about the sexist double standards that childfree women face after she claimed that her OB-GYN refused to consider her for a tubal ligation to prevent pregnancy. The Independent has contacted @honeyandmud for comment. Read More ‘Child-free’ woman applauded for sharing videos showing ‘what a life without children can look like’ Stop shouting at babies on planes – nobody has the right to a ‘child-free’ existence Woman, 22, sparks debate about medical freedom after doctor refused to sterilise her: ‘I just don’t want kids!’ Schoolboy almost dies from swallowing magnets for TikTok challenge Woman shares honest review of New York City apartment TikTok mom slammed after making 5-year-old son run in 104 degree heat
1970-01-01 08:00
Grading each team through first half of 2023 MLB season
With the halfway point of the season here, we’re handing out MLB midseason grades to each team. Who is excelling and who has failed the test?The All-Star break in MLB has arrived. Every team has played at least 81 of its 162 games. As a result, it is now time to assess each team's per...
1970-01-01 08:00
Ryan Gosling says his daughters were ‘huge inspiration’ for his role as Ken in Barbie movie
Ryan Gosling has revealed that his daughters, who he shares with longtime partner Eva Mendes, were a “huge inspiration” for his role as Ken in the upcoming Barbie movie. The 42-year-old spoke about his children, Esmeralda, eight, and Amada, seven, during an interview with Entertainment Tonight on Sunday, while attending the premiere of Barbie in Los Angeles. During the conversation, he shared his daughters’ candid thoughts about his role in the film, which features Margot Robbie as the titular Barbie. “It was, I think, weird enough for them that I played Ken anyway,” he said. “That I might just hold off on them seeing the full Ken-ergy.” However, according to Gosling, his children have not only seen some of Barbie, but they also “helped” him create his character. “They’ve seen a lot pieces of [the film], and helped me a lot with it,” he said. “They were a huge inspiration for me.” When asked if his daughters thought the new movie was funny, the Notebook star quipped: “Yeah, unless it wasn’t. And then I worked on it…They’re brilliant comedians.” While at the Barbie premiere on Sunday, Gosling also gave a subtle shoutout to Mendes with his outfit. The actor walked the pink carpet in a pink Gucci suit, which he accessorised with a chain necklace that had the letter “E”, which stood for Eva, dangling from it. The typeface on the necklace was used for the film. While Mendes wasn’t at the premiere on Sunday, she has previously revealed that she would rather avoid doing press to spend time with her children. “What people don’t know about me is that I love being home,” she said in an interview with Shape in 2017. “Instead of hitting the red carpet, I’d rather be with our girls.” In April, Mendes also revealed why she would not be joining Gosling on the pink carpet, with the Hitch star explaining that she and her partner “don’t do those things together”. Last month, Gosling, who’s been dating Mendes since 2011, shared some rare comments about fatherhood. During his cover story interview with GQ, he revealed that, prior to his relationship with Mendes, he didn’t think much about becoming a father. However, he confessed that this all changed when Mendes told him she was pregnant. “Eva said she was pregnant,” he recalled. “I would never want to go back, you know? I’m glad I didn’t have control over my destiny in that way, because it was so much better than I ever had dreamed for myself.” Elsewhere in the interview, Gosling clarified previous comments he made about the moment Mendes learned she was pregnant. While he maintained that he “wasn’t thinking about kids” before they met, Gosling said: “After I met Eva, I realised that I just didn’t want to have kids without her.” “I was looking for her, you know?” he added. When asked if he was aware that he was searching all his life for his current partner, Gosling replied: “No. But it all makes sense now.” While they have been more open about their relationship in recent years, Gosling and Mendes have still kept their children and family life largely out of the spotlight. Read More Ryan Gosling fans praise actor’s subtle nod to wife Eva Mendes at Barbie premiere Margot Robbie hits Barbie red carpet in 1960s Mattel-inspired gown Margot Robbie, an Australian, briefly forgets what ‘barbie’ means in Australia Margot Robbie hits Barbie red carpet in 1960s Mattel-inspired gown Ryan Gosling fans praise actor’s subtle nod to wife Eva Mendes at Barbie premiere All of the best looks from the Barbie world premiere
1970-01-01 08:00
Boeing plane crash: Coroner rules Britons unlawfully killed
A coroner has ruled the three Britons who died in the 2019 crash in Ethiopia were killed unlawfully.
1970-01-01 08:00
Every American to play in Serie A
Americans are on the rise in Serie A with Timothy Weah and Christian Pulisic set to become the next two to play in the Italian top flight.
1970-01-01 08:00
Sweden Nato membership: Turkey calls for new EU membership talks
President Erdogan says he will back Sweden's Nato bid in return for the renewed dialogue.
1970-01-01 08:00
Romania country profile
Provides an overview of Romania, including key dates and facts about this European country.
1970-01-01 08:00
Clubs alerted to Daichi Kamada availability as AC Milan stop free transfer
Premier League, Serie A & Bundesliga clubs have been informed Daichi Kamada is now available on a free transfer after AC Milan pull out of previously agreed deal.
1970-01-01 08:00
Migrant boat from Senegal carrying 200 people missing off Canary Islands
The aid group Walking Borders says many children are on board the missing boat, which departed from Senegal.
1970-01-01 08:00
Immaculate Grid baseball: Answers, connections, hints for Grid 97 (July 9)
Here are some of the possible answers for the 97th edition of the Immaculate Grid baseball game on July 9th featuring the Nationals, Royals, Padres, Rangers, and Brewers.Immaculate Grid has staying power, folks. At almost 100 daily games signed, sealed, and delivered, the MLB trivia game is more...
1970-01-01 08:00
Everything you need to know about the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament
The NBA In-Season Tournament was confirmed for the 2023-24 season. Here is everything you need to know about it, including the format and dates for the tournament.The 2022-23 NBA season concluded, with the Denver Nuggets standing as the reigning champions. Free agency began on June 30, and plent...
1970-01-01 08:00